Suggested Books

PARTNERS

Whenever a person thinks of fossils today, lively images of dinosaurs or other primordial beasts emerge within one's mind. Indeed, most people nowadays would connect fossils with museums, excavation digs, or research laboratories. However, people have viewed fossils very differently in the past; usually through wilder... more phantasmic interpretations.

The Power of Mythical Beasts, Saints, Gods, and Demons

Long before people truly understood the details on dinosaurs or other extinct life - which modern science has properly identified - the ancients would imagine fossils to be the bones of legendary creatures, holy saints, demons, or even the gods themselves. Most people from past civilizations lived alongside predominant traditional or mystical influences, and have thus viewed prehistoric remnants through the eyes of fantasy. Despite the drastically different perspectives between ancient and modern mentalities, both groups of people have gazed upon fossils with the very same breathtaking awe.

Similar to how modern people would imagine lost exotic worlds teeming with primal lifeforms after looking at fossils, those living in antiquity would conjure up visions of a mythical era when dragons, giants, and deities thrived amongst mortals. What's more is that the ancients would be so immensely inspired by fossils of so-called dragons or deities that they even went as far as believing their bones contained hidden special powers. Examples of said powers included the ability to restore youth, heighten sexual performance, grant longevity, cure ailments, and countless other terrific claims. In short, fossils of supposed magical creatures were used as ancient medicinal drugs.

Dinosaur bones were used as ancient ‘magical’ drugs. (Legendz Collective)

Ogre Bones Made into Musculoskeletal Cures

Different world cultures frequently mistook fossils for petrified parts of magical beasts or entities, and humans have used fossilized bones to treat diseases according to their corresponding beliefs. Fossils were often crushed to fine powder, or in some cases they would be brewed together with potent medicinal herbs for lengthy hours in preparation of decoctions or tonics. For instance, Native American tribes such as the Comanches had a tradition of grinding or boiling fossilized bones they believed belonged to dark predatory ogres called the Mu Pitz .

The Comanches of the Great Plains believed that the Mu Pitz were bogeyman-like fiends that prowled the North American wilderness; usually appearing in the form of ominous hairy Sasquatch spirits or man-eating humanoid owls. Adults and children alike held the Mu Pitz with both sheer dread and reverence, as they viewed it to be a personification of Nature's dangerous aspects that keeps the environment in balance. However, whenever a Mu Pitz died, leaving its bones across the land for numerous years, the tribal healers would gather the fossilized remains from the ground and convert those bones into therapeutic compounds such as powders, balms, or poultices to aid patients of their tribe. Healers would then use these Mu Pitz-made medicines for the treatment of sprains, fractures, and related diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Sometimes boiled Mu Pitz compounds would even be taken by healthy individuals as dietary supplements for further strengthening their own bones or joints.

An example of balm. Mu Pitz balm was believed to help the musculoskeletal system. (Legendz Collective)

All this time, however, bones of the man-eating Mu Pitz were in fact fossil fragments of plant-feeding mammoths and other Ice Age megafauna that once roamed North America in droves during the distant past. Much of the healing ogre bones that the Comanche used were mere misidentified mammoth teeth.

The mythical bones of hairy Sasquatch spirits or man-eating humanoid owls were actually the remains of Ice Age megafauna. (Legendz Collective)

Dragon Tongues that Invite Prosperity and Ward off Misfortune

Meanwhile across the Atlantic, other cultures such as those in the Mediterranean have also used fossilized teeth not only as medicine but also as amulets to ward off misfortune while inviting prosperity simultaneously. One group of fossil specimens which were used as both amulet and medicine are the “ glossopetrae”, otherwise called “ Lingue di Seripi ” in the Mediterranean region. Glossopetrae are better known by their English term “ dragon tongues ”.

True to its name, glossopetrae were thought to be remains of sharp-tipped tongues from long-dead dragons or serpents during classical antiquity. Locals in Malta believed glossopetrae originated from the tongues of venomous serpents that St. Paul transformed to stone - symbolizing his triumph of good over evil. Meanwhile, ancient Roman philosopher and naturalist Pliny the Elder (author of Naturalis Historia – an ancestor of modern encyclopedias) somehow believed glossopetrae originated from space; he thought dragon tongues rained from the heavens during lapses of lunar eclipses. In actuality, glossopetrae have their beginnings from the oceans instead of the heavens, and in sharks rather than serpentine dragons.

Most ancients barely recognized glossopetrae as sharks' teeth, and the common belief that these fossils were sharp petrified tips of a dragon or serpent's tongue was the norm. Dragons and serpents have symbolic roles in old traditions, and because of this reason the ancients eventually viewed shark teeth as important ingredients for potent antidotes against poisons and snakebites. Furthermore, glossopetrae were handled during divination to foretell the dragon tongue wearer's future.

“Dragon tongues” or fossilized shark teeth have been used as amulets, in divination, and medicine in the Mediterranean. (Legendz Collective)

Megalodon – The Amazing Beast Behind the Giant Teeth

People back then believed giant serpentine dragons once haunted the ancient Mediterranean. Reality, however, brings a more interesting surprise. Jumbo-sized sharks such as the notorious megalodon ruled the primordial Southern European seas with an iron fin. Megalodon was a leviathan – growing 15 meters (49.21 ft.) on average - that dined on whales during lunch at the Miocene period; around the same time the first human ancestors began walking on Earth. 'Twas a titan capable of chomping the main shark villain from the film Jaws like a fish stick. A smaller-sized megalodon tooth can grow as big as a human hand, whereas larger tooth specimens are hefty enough to obliterate turtle shells. Today great white sharks and other smaller species prowl the Mediterranean waters, continuing the legacy of their extinct megashark predecessor.

Megalodon ruled the primordial Southern European seas with an iron fin. (Legendz Collective)

It wasn't until the Renaissance when Italian and English polymaths such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Robert Hooke, John Ray, or Fabio Colonna, and notably Danish geologist-cum-anatomist Nicolaus Steno, emerged to public attention to properly identify glossopetrae with their true marine origins. After Steno received a freshly caught shark's head in Italy from the Grand Duke of Tuscany, the anatomist prepared it for dissection - it was here that he made his breakthrough. His dissection showed him how the head's teeth appear to be in the exact shape to the fabled glossopetrae. After much investigation, Steno concluded that all those dragon tongues the ancients spoke of were in fact misidentified shark teeth.

The depiction of a shark's head by Nicolaus Steno in his work The Head of a Shark Dissected. ( Public Domain )

The majority of people during antiquity still believed glossopetrae originated from dragons, and other unusual theories regarding fossils persisted at that time; such as fossils sprouting out from the Earth like plants. Eventually, Steno and other freethinkers prevailed by proving that dragon tongues were in truth shark teeth. Renaissance thinkers paved the way for new knowledge which decrees that instead of sprouting from dirt, fossils were once fresh bodies of living animals whose deceased remains have become one with the Earth.

Without the efforts of Renaissance thinkers, much of humanity would still be misinterpreting prehistory, and indeed Earth's history. Their research helped give rise to the advancement of paleontology - whilst also preventing sharks from being confused for dragons.

Speaking of dragons... these legends played crucial roles in the development of understanding dinosaurs from past to present. In Part 2, details on how dinosaur bones interwove with the development of medicine and mythology will be revealed. Part 2 also includes facts on alleged fossils of demons and gods, as well as the sinister side of fossil medicine.

Artwork of a dragon for the Durian-Project of the Blender Foundation. ( Public Domain )

Top Image: Fossils were viewed very differently in the past; usually through wilder... more fantastical interpretations. Source: Legendz Collective

Legendz Collective and Ancient Origins are working together to decode the mysteries of the past and provide free knowledge. Additionally, Legendz Collective aims to improve the education of kids in war-torn or disaster-struck regions; enhancing children with knowledge, ethics, personal development skills and motivation to help them overcome fears or ignorance. As a nonprofit organization dedicated to discovering new knowledge and inspiring young minds, Legendz Collective collaborates with Ancient Origins to create free articles and documentaries for the readers of this site. If you wish to take part in reshaping humanity's future by showing your support to Legendz Collective's causes, please donate to their PayPal at [email protected] to help fund their activities and to put their promises into action. Please follow Legendz Collective on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/LegendzCollective/

Austin K. Yajima

Mythographer, entrepreneur, plant medicine specialist and former monk, Austin has spent his entire life roaming abroad. Growing up with different ethnic groups in seven different countries has enabled him to overcome culture shock, which also allowed him to discover numerous... Read More

Register to become part of our active community, get updates, receive a monthly newsletter, and enjoy the benefits and rewards of our member point systemOR just post your comment below as a Guest.

Your name *

E-mail *

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.

Related Articles on Ancient-Origins

Huw Groucutt / The Conversation The Arabian Peninsula is a vast landmass at the crossroads of Africa and Eurasia. Yet until the last decade almost nothing was known about early humans in the area. In...

A team of geologists have discovered remnants of a 280-million-year-old fossil forest in Antarctica. They suggest that the trees of the forest survived through periodic extremes of total darkness and...

South Africa's status as a major cradle in the African nursery of humankind has been reinforced with today's unveiling of "Little Foot," the country's oldest, virtually complete fossil human ancestor...

Ancient DNA recovered from fossils is a valuable tool to study evolution and anthropology. Yet ancient fossil DNA from earlier geological ages has not been found yet in any part of Africa, where it's...

Viral Articles

The leprechaun is perhaps one of the best-known creatures in Irish folklore. Leprechauns are popularly depicted as little men with beards dressed in green coats and tall green hats. Other well-known beliefs about leprechauns include the pot of gold that they are said to keep at the end of the rainbow, and their mischievous nature. Whilst many are familiar with this general depiction of the leprechaun, there are other aspects of these Irish creatures that are less well-known.

Top New Stories

Neolthic cooking pots can tell you a lot about life in the culture that used them; if you have the right tools on hand. New research on such pottery by the University of Bristol has uncovered how early farmers were adapting to climate change 8,200 years ago.

Myths & Legends

The leprechaun is perhaps one of the best-known creatures in Irish folklore. Leprechauns are popularly depicted as little men with beards dressed in green coats and tall green hats. Other well-known beliefs about leprechauns include the pot of gold that they are said to keep at the end of the rainbow, and their mischievous nature. Whilst many are familiar with this general depiction of the leprechaun, there are other aspects of these Irish creatures that are less well-known.

Human Origins

Most people who have the Rh blood type are Rh-positive. There are also instances, however, where people are Rh-Negative. Health problems may occur for the unborn child of a mother with Rh-Negative blood when the baby is Rh-Positive.

Opinion

Does a hidden garden hold the encoded secrets of the Kabbalists? Hidden away in a cul-de-sac at the base of the towering medieval walls of Girona, Catalonia, Spain, is a tranquil garden. A statue of a long-haired angel stands guard over the entrance, its hands clasped in prayer.

Our Mission

At Ancient Origins, we believe that one of the most important fields of knowledge we can pursue as human beings is our beginnings. And while some people may seem content with the story as it stands, our view is that there exists countless mysteries, scientific anomalies and surprising artifacts that have yet to be discovered and explained.

The goal of Ancient Origins is to highlight recent archaeological discoveries, peer-reviewed academic research and evidence, as well as offering alternative viewpoints and explanations of science, archaeology, mythology, religion and history around the globe.

We’re the only Pop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives.

By bringing together top experts and authors, this archaeology website explores lost civilizations, examines sacred writings, tours ancient places, investigates ancient discoveries and questions mysterious happenings. Our open community is dedicated to digging into the origins of our species on planet earth, and question wherever the discoveries might take us. We seek to retell the story of our beginnings.